Dear Reader,
It requires little evidence to prove that the world we live in desperately needs peace. Our news is filled with reminders of war and tragedy, and statistics report a rapidly growing mental health crisis. In an increasingly globalized and broadcasted world, unrest is prevalent and unavoidable. In response to this lack of peace, it might be easy to recoil in helplessness—or maybe even respond defensively. Many of us live with a growing numbness that has now been considered “normal.” The thought of helping the world while unable to find inner peace seems justifiably irrational. If the world is so lacking in peace is it really worth trying?
One of the easiest responses to the apparent problem of peace is to live in survival mode. In order to survive each day, we put our heads down, stick headphones on, take a few deep breaths, and hope for the best. We sleep, vacation, and disconnect from society in desperate hope that we will find some sense of peace in rest.
Some days truly are ok. We seem to get by, but what will you do when life feels shaken once again? To obtain a true source of peace, we also have to trust that this source will continue to provide peace. Some turn to spiritual experiences, aiming to reach an ultimate peace by removing themselves from worldly problems. Others turn away from religion, arguing that any religious solution done in the name of peace has brought more turmoil than good. Others still seek to create their own peace, continually going deeper into themselves to find it. This edition of Synesis will take a deep look at these common answers, evaluate them, and see if they hold—or if there is a better answer to the problem of peace. So reader, what do you do to seek peace? What will you do to ensure that it lasts?
This is exactly what our writers have attempted to wrestle with in this issue, discussing finding peace in the midst of the world around us. However, much like the world around us, our writers are really asking a deeper question: is peace even possible in our time? Has it ever been? Under what conditions might it be? And what does peace in the lives of Christians who experience a messy, distracted world really look like? Our goal is not to attempt to fix all the problems in the world that require peace, but our writers certainly do not shy away from spaces that lack peace. They portray what it means to think through issues of peace and present how their Christian worldview affects that process. I also say this acknowledging that Christians have not always been agents of peace as Jesus was during his life on earth.
As I conclude, I want to thank so many who have faithfully stood behind me in this role. Every issue that I have been able to oversee has challenged my thinking and refined my beliefs in the most incredible of ways. Thank you to my board, who has innovatively, creatively, and intentionally led Synesis into the exploration of what peace in our time might look like. You present Synesis beautifully through your efforts, intentions, and deep care for our writers. Thank you to our writers, who have chosen to tackle an incredibly complicated subject in this cultural moment—and not shied away or taken the easy path of platitudes and cliches. I am grateful for each one of you and for how you’ve helped Synesis grow. I also want to thank Paige Clancy and Professor Eric Johnson, both of whose guidance has been invaluable to me and to Synesis.
And to you, dear reader, it is my hope that as you read, you consider the questions that our pieces pose, enjoy some skillful writing, and consider the ideas of our writers, (who face the same distractions and challenges as you) as a meaningful attempt to make see what is possible through mere faith in Christ. If you agree with my estimation that we do indeed need peace, then I fairly ask you,, where will you find it? To whom or what will you turn? May Synesis Issue XVI : Peace in Our Time encourage you as you seek out the answers to these questions.
With deep joy and much gratitude,
Eowyn Oh
Editor in Chief,
Vanderbilt Synesis